7 Unusual Fragrant Herbs To Plant In May – For Effortlessly Flavorful Summer Cooking

May is the moment when the garden stops clearing its throat and finally begins to sing. Soil has warmed, the risk of frost is fading across most temperate zones, and suddenly the idea of stepping outside to snip herbs for supper feels not just possible, but inevitable. If you’re thinking about herbs to plant in May, this is your cue to choose varieties that will reward you quickly and generously all summer long.

The trick, as ever, is not to fall back on the usual suspects alone. Basil and parsley will always have their place, but a truly delicious summer, especially one built around outdoor cooking, benefits from a few more unusual, fragrant, and surprising additions. These are the herbs that turn grilled meat into something memorable, salads into something talked about, and even a humble tomato into a minor work of art.

If you’re already considering layouts or combinations, it’s worth thinking about herb border ideas that bring both beauty and function together, because a well-designed patch of herbs should look as good as it tastes.

1. Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora) – The Citrus Whisperer

If I had to choose one herb that feels like summer distilled into a leaf, it would be lemon verbena. The scent alone - sharp, bright, almost effervescent - makes it worth growing, but its culinary uses are where it truly shines.

Plant it in May, once the soil has warmed, and it will establish quickly in full sun. In temperate zones, it may die back in winter, but through summer it grows with surprising enthusiasm. I like to keep mine near the kitchen door, because it encourages impulsive cooking.

Toss a few leaves into grilled chicken marinades, infuse them into simple syrups for cocktails, or steep them in cream for desserts. It pairs beautifully with fruit (peaches in particular) and gives even the simplest dish a lift.

If you’re starting from scratch, young lemon verbena plants from Burpee tend to establish faster than seed, especially in cooler regions.

2. Vietnamese Coriander (Persicaria odorata) – Heat-Loving And Underrated

Cilantro has a reputation for bolting at the slightest provocation. Vietnamese coriander, on the other hand, thrives in the heat that sends its cousin running for the hills.

This is one of my favorite lesser-known herbs to plant in May because it fills a very specific gap: summer flavor without summer frustration. It prefers warmth, a bit of moisture, and partial sun, making it ideal for patios or slightly shaded back yard beds.

The flavor is similar to cilantro but deeper, with a faint peppery edge. It’s excellent in salads, grilled shrimp dishes, and anything vaguely Southeast Asian-inspired.

Vietnamese coriander, available from Amazon, also looks rather handsome, with elongated leaves marked by a darker chevron and proof that edible can also be ornamental.

3. Summer Savory (Satureja hortensis) – The Grill’s Best Friend

If thyme had a slightly wilder, more carefree cousin, it would be summer savory. This is a herb that deserves far more attention, particularly if you’re planning to spend your evenings hovering over a grill.

Sow or plant in May and it will romp away happily in well-drained soil and full sun. It’s an annual, but one that earns its place every year.

The flavor is warm, peppery, and slightly resinous which is perfect for seasoning meats before grilling. I often mix chopped savory with olive oil, garlic, and a squeeze of lemon, then brush it over chicken or vegetables as they cook.

It also pairs beautifully with beans, which makes it a quiet hero of summer salads. You can pick up Summer savory seeds from True Leaf Market and try growing you own this May.

4. Thai Basil (Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora) – Not Your Average Basil

If standard basil is a polite dinner guest, Thai basil is the one who brings fireworks. With its hints of anise and clove, it transforms dishes in a way that feels both familiar and exotic.

May is the perfect time to plant it, once nights are reliably warm. Like all basil, it prefers sun and warmth, and resents cold, damp conditions. Give it a well-drained spot and pinch regularly to keep it bushy.

It’s exceptional in stir-fries, but don’t stop there, try it in grilled steak salads or scattered over charred vegetables. It holds its flavor better under heat than sweet basil, which makes it ideal for outdoor cooking.

For reliable germination, Thai basil seeds from True Leaf Market are a good place to start, particularly if you’re growing in quantity.

5. Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans) – A Hummingbird Magnet With A Sweet Tooth

Pineapple sage is one of those herbs that makes people stop mid-conversation and ask, “What is that?” Crush a leaf and the answer is immediate: a burst of tropical sweetness.

Plant it in May and it will grow steadily into a soft, shrubby presence. In warmer temperate zones, it may even behave as a perennial. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil, but is otherwise undemanding.

The leaves are lovely in fruit salads, iced teas, or even muddled into cocktails. Later in the season, it produces vivid red flowers that attract pollinators, adding another layer of usefulness.

It’s also a reminder that herbs need not be purely savory, some exist purely to delight. Good quality pineapple sage plants from Amazon can be planted straight into any gap for an instant summer garnish.

6. Shiso (Perilla frutescens) – The Cult Favorite

Shiso is having a moment, though gardeners have quietly appreciated it for years. With its slightly serrated leaves and complex flavor, somewhere between mint, basil, and anise, it’s a herb that rewards curiosity.

May planting works well, particularly in warmer zones where it can establish quickly. It prefers sun to partial shade and reasonably fertile soil.

Use it fresh in salads, wrap it around grilled fish, or chop it finely and scatter it over rice dishes. There’s a brightness to it that feels tailor-made for summer evenings.

Purchase shiso seeds from True Leaf Market, and it will self-seed if it’s happy, which means you may find yourself with a small colony in future years - a development I would strongly encourage.

7. Mexican Tarragon (Tagetes lucida) – The Heatproof Substitute

French tarragon is famously fussy, particularly in warmer climates. Mexican tarragon steps in as a far more accommodating alternative, with a similar anise-like flavor and a much tougher constitution.

Plant it in May and it will settle in quickly, thriving in heat and full sun. It’s particularly useful in regions where summer temperatures climb aggressively.

The leaves can be used in the same way as traditional tarragon; think grilled chicken, vinaigrettes, or even infused vinegars. It’s also surprisingly good in desserts, where its subtle sweetness can shine.

Sow Mexican tarragon seeds from Burpee and as an added bonus, it will produce cheerful golden flowers later in the season, making it both edible and ornamental.

Growing Tips For A Summer Of Easy Harvests

The joy of herbs to plant in May lies in their immediacy. Unlike slower crops, these are plants that begin giving almost as soon as they’ve settled in. A few simple principles will keep them productive:

* Sunlight is non-negotiable for most culinary herbs. Aim for at least six hours a day.

* Drainage matters more than richness - herbs dislike sitting in wet soil.

* Regular harvesting encourages growth. The more you snip, the more they produce.

* Water consistently while establishing, then ease off slightly once roots are strong.

If you’re planting in containers, a good-quality organic potting mix from Amazon and something like a terracotta planter from Lowe’s can help regulate moisture and temperature beautifully.

There’s something deeply satisfying about stepping outside on a warm evening, scissors in hand, and assembling dinner leaf by leaf. Herbs are the quiet enablers of that kind of cooking; unfussy, generous, and endlessly adaptable.

By choosing a few less predictable varieties this May, you’re not just planting for flavor, you’re planting for surprise. And in a season defined by long evenings, outdoor meals, and the gentle hum of life in the back yard, that feels exactly right.

Love inspiring garden ideas, outdoor advice, and the latest news? Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox.